Imagine swapping your familiar hometown for a bustling metropolis, a charming beach town, or a sophisticated city.
You could have the ability to meet new people from all walks of life, immerse yourself in fresh culture, all while pursuing your education.
The choice to go out-of-state for college isn’t just about the education; part of the allure is about embracing a different culture and new experiences.
So, are the benefits of an out-of-state college education worth it, or should you stick closer to home and save money?
Even though traveling far for college is alluring, going in-state has numerous benefits, including significantly lower tuition costs, opportunities to build local connections, and a closer proximity to home.
Senior Julie Cioffi, who chose to go in-state at Temple University, explains that she “chose Temple because of its wide variety of opportunities and research programs. Plus, they had the best film program out of all the schools I looked at!”
Saniyah Grant also chose to go in-state to complete her 4+1 MBA.
“I chose Shippensburg University because it could open major doors for me in my career field; they have many opportunities.”
While staying in-state has its benefits, traveling out of state can be more beneficial for some and can offer unique opportunities to students.
Senior Lydia Williams, who will be attending the University of Maine, remarks that “traveling out of state can open your eyes to new things, and you get to meet new people outside of your bubble in High School.”
Lydia also chose to go to Maine to compete in the Division I swimming program, along with her friend and teammate Bella Wilkinson.
“I am so excited to get the college experience and be with all of the amazing people on the swim team. It also felt the most at home, and was a great balance between a big school and a small school,” Bella explained.
Some students even decided to travel outside of the country for new opportunities, just like Rachel Deitch, who will be attending IE University in Madrid, Spain.
“I chose to go there because it has amazing international connections and will bring me closer to my goal of becoming fluent in multiple languages,” Rachel says.
Every student has different and personal reasons why they choose to attend a specific university, including a specific program, proximity to opportunities, playing a sport, and many more.
Because of this, there is no “right” or “wrong” choice when it comes to picking a college.
According to Dallastown’s College and Career Counselor, Mrs. McCullough, “choosing where to go to college is a very personal decision, and going out of state can be a great option depending on the student’s goals, interests, and circumstances.”
With only a few days remaining for the class of 2025, the current juniors will soon begin the process of applying to college.
Having already gone through this process, seniors Rachel Deitch gave advice to these students.
“For the juniors about to approach college application season, follow your heart when you make your decision. You’ll never get your college years back, so choose a place you see yourself being happiest and a place that’ll expose you to new things and adventures.”
